The Qur'an: Essential Teachings

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Almighty Allah

Say: He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Unique. He does not give birth. Nor was He given birth to. There is no one equal to Him.

(al-Ikhlāṣ 112:1-4)

CENTRAL to the Islamic worldview is the concept of Allah. Throughout the Qur’ān His numerous features, creative power and perfect knowledge are described. In many aḥādīth too, the Prophet Muḥammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is seen throwing light on His attributes. The reference above from Sūrah al-Ikhlāṣ offers the quintessence of His unique being. Unlike other sūrahs al-Ikhlāṣ does not deal with any other theme or issue of this world or the Next. Rather, it focuses exclusively on Him. His first and foremost attribute is that He is the only true God. It thus does away with all false notions of polytheism. Equally significant is His uniqueness. There is nothing like Him. All human language fails to give an idea of His being. His uniqueness consists also in His attributes. All that He has accomplished and keeps on doing is simply beyond anyone’s capacity or imagination. Many earlier communities, including the Hindus and Christians, had developed fallacious views about His being. The Qur’ān dismisses such erroneous views, asserting that in His nature, person and attributes, no one is equal to Him.

On studying the following passage one gets a better idea of some of His attributes, especially His all-embracing power and authority. The verse is therefore, known as "Āyat al-Kursī", the verse describing His throne:

Allah! There is no god besides He. He is the Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting and Eternal. Neither slumber nor sleep can ever seize Him. His is whatever is in the heavens and on earth. Who can intercede with Him, except with His permission? He knows whatever was before them and whatever shall be after them. And they do not encompass anything of His knowledge, except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth. And He does not feel any fatigue in guarding and preserving them. For He is the Most High, the Supreme.

(al-Baqarah 2:255)

This verse vividly demonstrates His divine majesty and providence. Furthermore, one gets the distinct impression that He is the only force in the entire universe, which demolishes any notion of a plurality of gods. In the same vein is the emphasis placed on His eternality, without any beginning or end. He is not some Christ-God who faced crucifixion. Rather, He is Almighty, supporting all that exists. No one can boast of closeness with Him. Islam does not admit the concept of an intermediary who can recommend someone’s case to Him. He is so perfect that He does not need any rest or sleep. This particular point assumes greater significance in that it refutes the Jewish and Christian idea of God resting on the seventh day after His exertion in creating the universe. (Genesis 2:2-3)

In keeping with its assertion that all the excellent names denoting perfection and unsurpassable glory belong only to Allah, the Qur’ān employs a host of names for Him, indicating as these do His varied and perfect attributes. The following passage, abounding in such names, brings to the fore some of His outstanding attributes.

He is Allah. There is no god besides He. He knows all things, both hidden and open. He is the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful. He is Allah. There is no god other than Him. He is the Sovereign, the Holy, the source of peace and security, the Guardian of faith, the Protector, the Almighty, the Irresistible, the Supreme. Glory be to Allah. Exalted is He above the partners they attribute to Him. He is Allah, the Creator, the Maker, the Fashioner, His are the excellent names. Whatever is in the heavens and on earth glorifies His praise. He is Almighty, the Wise.

(al-Ḥashr 59:22-24)

Allah the Almighty, the All-Knowing. He forgives sins, accepts repentance, is severe in punishment and the Lord of power. There is no god but He. To Him is the final return.

(al-Ghāfir 40:2-3)

Whatever is in the heavens and on earth declares the praise and glory of Allah. He is Almighty, the Wise. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. It is He Who gives life and death and has power over all things. He is the first and the last, the manifest and the immanent. And He has full knowledge of everything.

(al-Ḥadīd 57:1-3)

Of His numerous attributes, those that are prominent include His absolute power and authority, His all-embracing knowledge, and total control over life and death. In recognition of these, all that exists in the universe praises and glorifies Him. Man, gifted with free-will, may choose to affirm or deny Him. However, man is blessed with intellect which guides him to believe in and serve Him. His knowledge and creative power are emphasised throughout the Qur’ān:

To Allah belongs all that is in the heavens and on earth. Whatever you reveal or conceal of what is in your minds, Allah will call you to account for it. He forgives whom He pleases, and punishes whom He pleases. For Allah has power over all things.

(al-Baqarah 2:284)

Some recurrent attributes of Allah in the Qur’ān which help man form a mental picture of Him are:

In line with these descriptions the Qur’ān also brings home the following truths about Him:

Allah knows all that is evident as well as hidden. Nothing escapes His notice. Given this, man should lead his life along the lines set by Him. Otherwise, man’s misdeeds and unbelief will come to His knowledge and it will seal his fate in the Hereafter.

He is man’s only patron, protector and helper. Therefore, man should not turn to anyone else for help and support. Faith should draw him all the more to Allah, taking Him as the only source of all comfort and safety.

The entire universe is created, governed and regulated by Him. Islam does not endorse the belief of some faith communities that after having created the universe, He no longer has any role in it. While He does not normally interfere in the affairs of the world, which are subject to the laws of nature, He nevertheless watches all that happens and inflicts punishment on the guilty. In the creation and working of the universe, He did not draw upon anyone’s assistance. All objects in the universe are subject to His command. His might and wisdom account for the perfect working of the interrelated yet complex and awe-inspiring natural phenomena. Had He not put such diverse things in place, chaos would have set in, bringing all life to an end.

He alone is the Creator of all that exists. This underscores both His Oneness and creative power. Islam is very particular on its doctrine of monotheism. It differs sharply from the prevalent notions of a multiplicity or trinity of gods. Nor does it admit the role of some partner or assistant in creation. As the Creator, He knows well the needs of His creatures and provides sufficient sustenance for everyone. Furthermore, having created once, it is easy for Him to resurrect after death. This is what He would accomplish on the Day of Judgement. The amazing spectacles of birth, death and rebirth are there, all around us so that we grasp the basic truth and develop our conviction of faith.

He exercises absolute authority over all that exists. It is He Who causes life and death. As part of His grand plan He executes what pleases Him. His authority is manifest everywhere. In recognition of His might man should worship Him. No one can alter His plan. Nor is it possible to defer or advance the time appointed by Him for anything. Since the domain of the Unseen is governed by Him alone, no one, including His messengers and angels, shares such knowledge. This further underscores His might and power.

As He alone enjoys all authority, it is He Who passes judgement as He wills. No one can influence His judgement. Islam rejects false beliefs about intercession. For Allah alone decides everyone’s fate, in line with His grand plan. On the Day of Reckoning He alone will reward or punish everyone. Notwithstanding His absolute power and authority, which cannot be challenged by anyone, His judgement is characterised by fairness and leniency. He does not take the guilty to task instantly. Rather, He keeps on granting respite. However, once the term of respite awarded to individuals and communities is over, no one can thwart His pronouncement. Moreover, His judgement is swift and marked by perfect justice. Reason demands that justice be done at the end of time in order to reward the pious and punish the guilty. For justice is not dispensed in this life. It is a common sight that the innocent suffer while the evil ones get away with their crimes in this world. It is therefore, both natural and logical that someone as mighty and powerful as Allah should sit in judgement finally so that everyone is recompensed.

Allah’s providing sustenance to every living being stands out as irrefutable proof of His lordship and power. Countless creatures, since the beginning of creation and up to the Last Day, have been, are and will be constantly fed by Him out of the inexhaustible resources created by Him. Moreover, there is His equally amazing distribution of provisions. One gets one’s sustenance often from unexpected quarters. Allah makes no discrimination in providing sustenance, regardless of one’s conduct and faith. Even His worst enemies are provided with all that they need in life. All this brings into sharper relief His forbearance, justice and wisdom.

The entire universe represents a testimony to Allah’s immense creative power. Natural phenomena, in particular, are evidence of His creativity and might. The Qur’ān cites some of these:

Surely your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne, regulating and governing all things. No intercessor can plead with Him, without His permission. This is Allah, your Lord. Therefore, serve Him. Will you not take heed?

(Yūnus 10:3)

Surely in the creation of night and day and in all that Allah has created in the heavens and the earth, there are signs for those who fear Him.

(Yūnus 10:6)

Allah sends down water from the heavens, and channels flow, each according to its measure.

(al-Ra‘d 13:17)

And the earth! We have stretched it out and have cast on it firm mountains, and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance. And We have provided therein your means of living and also for those for whose sustenance you are not responsible. And there is nothing of which there are not with Us the treasures, and We send it down in a known measure. And We send the fertilising winds, then We send down water from the heaven, and We give it to you to drink …

(al-Ḥijr 15:19-22)

Allah has sent down water from the heavens, then He revives the earth by it after its death. In this is a sign for those who listen. There is a lesson for you in cattle. From what is within their bodies, between excretion and blood, We produce for you a drink, milk, pure and pleasant to those who drink. And also there is a lesson for you in the fruits of date palms and grapes of which you take a wholesome drink and food. In that is a sign for a people who understand. And your Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills, on trees and in men’s habitations. Then you eat all manner of fruits and find with skill the spacious paths of the Lord. There springs forth from their bellies a drink, of varying colours, in it is a healing for mankind. In this is a sign for those who give thought.

(al-Naḥl 16:65-69)

On realising Allah’s creative power, of which eloquent descriptions are scattered all around us, it is obligatory on man to affirm and celebrate His greatness and glory. As compared to Him, no one can lay any claim to majesty. For all living beings are mortal, subject to fall and decay. Even the unbelievers, who refuse to believe in Him, demonstrate their servitude to Him. For it is Allah Who causes their life and death and decides their fate. They are utterly helpless to resist His all-pervading authority. All objects of nature, bound to laws of nature, display their surrender to Him. For it is Allah Who makes them act in the way as it pleases Him.

Apart from being the sole Creator, Allah is man’s guide and patron as well. He has blessed man with a body and physical faculties and invested him also with mental abilities, conscience and spirituality which help him in following the Straight Way. On the one hand, He has granted man free-will to choose the way he likes and on the other, He has made elaborate arrangements for man’s guidance. He sent down a large number of messengers to every major community and geographical area for conveying the divine message to man. Furthermore, He revealed the Scriptures, embodying His extensive guidance for subsequent generations. The Qur’ān stands out as the latest and final divine guidance for all time and place. In this He spelled out clearly what pleases Him and what provokes His anger. Likewise, it also clarified, in many ways, what actions on man’s part facilitate his admission to Paradise and what misdeeds land him in Hellfire. The way of life as approved by Him is demonstrated best by the Prophet Muḥammad’s exemplary life. While acting on the message of the Qur’ān and following in the Prophet Muḥammad’s footsteps one can win His pleasure and secure a place in Paradise in order to enjoy eternal bliss.

His mercy embraces all that exists. For without it, no one can survive. Were He to punish the guilty instantly, it would have brought an end to mankind a long time ago. Since He is Most Forbearing and Most Merciful, He overlooks man’s sins and keeps on granting him extended respite so that he may mend his ways. His mercy alone accounts for all joy and happiness in this world. An amazing spectacle of His mercy will be witnessed by everyone on the Day of Judgement. Out of His kindness He will pardon many culprits and bless the pious ones, condoning their occasional lapses, with the interminable joys of Paradise. Only a very small part of His mercy is at work in the bond of love and affection between parents and children, spouses and family members and friends. Man should therefore, turn all the more to Allah, thanking Him for all His favours.

The Qur’ān states in several places that Allah accepts man’s repentance, provided one turns to Him sincerely, invoking His mercy for pardon. He may even forgive man’s worst sins, if he confesses his guilt, resolves never to repeat the same and lead a pious life onwards thereafter. More remarkably, it paves the way for one entering Paradise and enjoying bliss eternally. Many Qur’ānic passages point to His generosity in forgiving:

Do they not know that Allah accepts the repentance of His servants and takes their alms? Allah is undoubtedly the Oft-Returning, the Merciful.

(al-Tawbah 9:104)

One of the outstanding manifestations of His mercy and justice is that He rewards the pious. Obviously He does not stand in need of man’s worship or obedience. However, so as to encourage good conduct, and ensure a happy, peaceful social life as also for man’s spiritual development He has devised the principle of rewarding the pious and punishing the guilty. On the Day of Judgement He will recompense everyone in a manner characterised by perfect justice, fairness and generosity. His dispensation of justice is not flawed in any degree in view of His complete knowledge and His equal treatment of everyone. Piety alone weighs heavily in the scale of His dispensation. One’s ethnic, family or linguistic affiliation does not concern Him in the least:

O mankind! We have created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you know one another (not that you may despise). Certainly the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who is the most righteous of you.

(al-Ḥujurāt 49:13)

As for the relationship between man and Allah, the following features should characterise the same:

One should have overflowing love and respect for Him in view of His numerous favours and His magnificence: "Those who believe are the strongest in love for Allah, (al-Baqarah 2:165). Likewise, man should be thankful to Him for His countless bounties, for providing him with His guidance: O Believers! Eat of the good things that We have provided for you and be grateful to Allah", (al-Baqarah 2:172). Constant thought of Allah should be present in man’s mind, as part of his servitude to Him. Furthermore, it is the most effective means for keeping away from sin. It orients one’s life to the goal of earning His pleasure which, in turn, guarantees success in the Hereafter. Allah’s instructions on this count are clear:

Verily I am Allah! There is no god but I. So serve Me alone and establish regular Prayers to remember Me.

(Ṭā Hā 20:14)

Obedience to Allah should be the cornerstone of one’s way of life. All that one thinks and does should be in line with His commands. This will render one as Allah’s obedient, pious servant and ensure one’s success in both worlds.

O men! Follow the revelation sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow as friends or protectors any other than Him.

(al-A‘rāf 7:3)

Since He alone is the only true Lord, without a partner or associate, help should be sought from Him alone. Allah has taught this to man in the opening sūrah of the Qur’ān, al-Fātiḥah: "We serve only You and we seek help from You alone", (al-Fātiḥah 1:5).

To sum up, one should devote oneself fully to Allah, in